Bonjour: Birthday in Paris

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Krissyar

This is a sponsored post; I received decor materials in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own, per usual.

We are a partyin’ type of people. We celebrate every birthday with a party – for the young and old – sometimes we go all out, and sometimes we just have a small get together. Birthday’s are a celebration of life, both of the person who was born, and the one who carried them for 9 months!

This year my youngest daughter turned 10 – that’s a big one in my book. Gone are the days of 1 digit birthdays, she will forever and always be 2 digits (or more) from here on out. The age “10” is now considered ‘pre-teen’ (and I cringe when I say those words), and along comes middle school, more independence, and a new interest in boys (yuck!). So we decided to do birthday numero diez big!

#OrientalTrading

Now I would love to claim I am crafty and I came up with everything on my own – though I have a respect and love for those bloggers who do, I’m just not. My super power is not crafting, but being thrifty, at least that’s my claim. I go online and look for the best deals, and go from there. This year we found some fantastic deals on party decorations on Oriental Trading. It took her awhile to decide, she kept going back and forth, but her final decision was Party in Paris – and I was thrilled. Who doesn’t love pink and black?

cupcakes

kayla paris

We went all out with decorations – including that great photo opp, the Eiffel Tower backdrop. With the sun shining in thru the window I hung it over, it gives the room a nice soft glow (and makes it look so much cleaner) and we love it so much in fact, we plan on leaving it up through Spring at least (maybe longer if my husband doesn’t yell at me). 

paris-themed-birthday-party-decorations

She had a great time, and her friends were psyched to leave with Eiffel Tower cups , tattoos, pencils, and my absolute favorite, charm bracelets! 

charm bracelet

#OrientalTrading

They all had a great time – and the best part? I didn’t spend hours upon hours making stuff for her birthday, or worrying if I’d have time. I just ordered them, they were delivered to my door within days, and we had fun putting the decorations up together before her guest arrived. 

paris-themed-birthday-party-decorations

Posted in Crafts/DIY | 6 Comments

Making Lunches Fun (and healthy) with Fruitshoot

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Krissyar

This article is sponsored by Fruitshoot, but all opinions are my own.  

#fuelyourimagination #fruitshoot

I don’t know about you, but lunch packing can get tedious and stressful around our house – one kid doesn’t like this or that, then the other kid doesn’t like something else. Very rarely am I packing similar lunches for any of my 3 children. Which means I’m buying a lot more groceries and spending a lot more money just to get things that my kids will all eat for lunch. At least until recently – when we discovered Fruitshoot drinks,

Someone notify the presses – it’s a miracle! All 3 of my children – ages 12, 10 and 5, all love Fruitshoot drinks. My oldest was the one I was concerned about; she doesn’t like drinks that are overly sugary, but loves drinks that have caffeine – so I am doing my best to get her away from those. She was skeptical at first, but she loves Fruitshoots especially the orange flavor. My middle daughter favored the grape, and of course my son who is fruit drinking fool, loves them all. FINALLY a drink that I can pack for lunches, trips and long car rides that they all love. SCORE!

Fruitshoot drinks are a great alternative to other sugary flavored drinks, here are some of the reasons we now ALL love Fruitshoot:

  • This fun hydration drink is perfect for energetic, independent kids who desire fun on the go. It contains real fruit juice, no high-fructose corn syrup, and no added sugar or natural flavors.
  • Fruitshoot lets moms balance the hydration their kids need with the taste that they love, making hydration fun for kids and easy for moms.
  • It has a new no-spill cap, perfect for children of all ages, and contains no fructose corn syrup, making it a much better option than other flavored drinks.
  • Fruitshoot also features an innovative no-spill cap (no more juice stains in the car!) making it easy for kids to be independent and on the go. These vibrant fun colored bottles come in tasty flavors of Orange, Apple, Berry Burst, and Strawberry/Raspberry.

 

 

Right now with purchase of Fruitshoot, there is the option for a free download of an Angry Birds game, perfect for parents to play with their kids.
Download the Angry Birds game and enter the code on the back of your Fruitshoot bottle to play!

You can find Fruitshoot at the following Retailers: Walmart, KMart, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Harris Teeter, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Spartan, Speedway, Meijer Gas, Sheetz, Kangaroo, WilcoHess, Handee Hugo, Family Fare, Giant Eagles, Marc’s, Dave’s, UDF, Traxx, Redi Mart, J Clarks

 

Posted in Fitness/Health | 27 Comments

How to Get Celebrity-White Teeth

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Krissyar

Celebrities on the red carpet all seem to have one thing in common: their teeth are dazzlingly white, almost as if they have never used them. In order to get that same effect, you do not have to go to a celebrity dentist. There are a number of options that you can use to improve your smile’s sheen.

 

Oral Hygiene

Every dentist will tell you that having a healthy, beautiful mouthful of teeth always starts with proper oral hygiene. Flossing twice a day is a critical component of oral hygiene that many people neglect. Dentists recommend flossing as the first step in your daily dental routine because brushing gives your mouth a clean feeling, which makes it easier to skip flossing if you have saved it for last. Brush your teeth and gums gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove bad bacteria without damaging the enamel. It is also important to visit the dentist for a thorough checkup and a professional cleaning twice each year in order to have plaque and tartar build-up removed.

Teeth Whiteners

Most dentists have whitening procedures that usually consist of a series of visits. Professional whitening is expensive but effective. If you are unable to invest the money in your smile that this process requires, you may want to talk to your dentist about the over-the-counter options. While home kits in the past have involved keeping messy and uncomfortable trays in the mouth for an extended period of time, oral hygiene companies have been working to refine them in order to make them easier to use and more effective. Some whitener systems have strips that stick on the teeth, while others have a brush applicator to paint the whitener onto the teeth. Make sure to follow all directions and be careful not to overuse any whitener product, as the chemicals can be damaging to tooth enamel.

Laser Whitening

Laser whitening procedures are only available through a dentist and it is both the most expensive and the quickest option. You will see an immediate difference after just one visit, although the amount of time that one visit takes depends on the degree of staining on your teeth. The dentist will paint a bleaching gel on your teeth and then use a laser to activate crystals in the gel, which absorbs the light’s energy and lightens the teeth.

Natural Remedies

If your teeth are sensitive, your dentist may discourage you from using teeth whiteners because the ingredients in most whiteners increase sensitivity. There are natural ways to whiten teeth that can brighten your smile and may even reduce tooth sensitivity.

  • Brush your teeth with peroxide and baking soda.
  • Swish coconut oil, sesame oil, or olive oil in the mouth for 10 to 15 minutes each day. This remedy is purported to remove bacteria, strengthen enamel, and brighten the smile.
  • Add baking soda or salt to your regular toothpaste when you brush.

Prevention

Practicing good oral hygiene and using whitening products can produce a brighter smile, but if you are still smoking or drinking coffee or soda, chances are that your smile will not stay celebrity white. Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, avoiding habits that cause staining, and practicing good oral hygiene are the best ways to keep your smile healthy and bright.

 

<p>Please feel free to contact Ella Gray at ella.l.gray@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.</p>

Posted in Crafts/DIY, Fitness/Health | 2 Comments

5 Foods to Detox your Body

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Krissyar

After a long winter of indulging in comfort foods, you may feel like you need to press a reset button on your body. The good news is it’s possible to rid your body of toxins and restore it by simply by eating right. Here are 5 of my favorite foods to help detoxify, hydrate, and refresh your body all naturally, just in time for spring and summer!

 

 

  1. Green Berry Smoothies – Start your day on a healthy note by blending together a cup of greens like spinach, kale, and celery with a handful of berries to make a delicious smoothie. These leafy greens contain chlorophyll, a molecule that helps eliminate harmful environmental toxins that can contribute to illness and liver damage. The berries’ bounty of antioxidants and enzymes help fight free-radical damage that may lead to disease, and their sweetness takes over the more bitter taste of the greens—you won’t even notice they’re in there!
  2. Green Tea – Polyphenols, antioxidant-rich phytochemicals found in green tea leaves, help to detoxify the body by eliminating harmful free radicals. Studies have also shown that increased consumption of green tea may reduce your risk of several cancers. And that’s not all: Research has linked drinking green tea to improving memory and reducing belly fat when combined with exercise, thanks to the catechin EGCG, a powerful antioxidant. Win-win!
  3. Cabbage – Cabbage, made up of approximately 92 percent water, is a natural diuretic that can help expel excess fluids from the body, so you can’t go wrong by filling up on this water-based food. It’s packed with glucosinolates, organic compounds that contain nitrogen and sulfur which help flush out unwanted toxins. Plus, cabbage delivers a good dose of many essential vitamins, including C, K, E, and A, minerals, dietary fiber, and folic acid.
  4. Water – The best things in life are free—including tap water. Start off your morning with a glass of water, and stay hydrated all day by carrying a reusable water bottle (I bring a Klean Kanteen with me everywhere!). Drinking water before a meal can help take the edge off hunger, and of course it’s important to drink up before and after a workout. Aim for nine cups a day, as recommended by Mayo Clinic, to help flush out toxins through your liver and kidneys.
  5. Lemon –Drinking a glass of water infused with lemon (or adding lemon to a mug of hot water) is a proven strategy to help cleanse your body. Lemons contain antibacterial properties that help purify the blood and balance the pH level of your colon. The citrus fruit’s vitamin C will also help boost your immunity. Lemon juice is so versatile in cooking—you can add it to salad dressings, marinades, smoothies, and juices, or finish off a pasta, fish, or chicken dish with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

What are some of your favorite ways to ‘detox’ after a long winter?

Posted in Fitness/Health | 5 Comments

5 Doctor Recommended Ways to Put the Spring in Your Step

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Krissyar

#CBIAS #ad #shopThis post is not a health care professional’s opinion, all opinions are my own.

Spring is in the air it’s time for us to come out of hibernation and the snow, out of the cold and the snow, and into the sun and out of the snow (can you tell I’m over the snow?!)! But along with the joys of Spring, comes the reality of the weight gain and unhealthy habits we’ve acquired over the months of being stuck indoors.This year in particular has been extra rough to those of us in the ‘winter’ states. Spring comes with a teaser, only to hide it’s head and allow winter to continue to keep us in a state of hibernation – and along with that, sickness, slothfulness, and just plain grumpiness. Because this physique and wellness neglect is fairly universal in cold-weather climates, spring-time presents a fresh start like a new year to those of us who have fell into the trap and neglect of the ‘winter hibernation.’ So to help you (and me) find our way back, I’ve found the top 5 Doctor recommended ways to put the Spring back into Your Step this Spring.

#NaturalProbiotics #CollectiveBias

  1.  Exercise & Healthy Eating
    You knew I was going to say it – exercise and eating healthy are key to putting that ‘spring’ in your step. Regular exercise and the consumption of a healthy diet can lead to a host of benefits, including increased energy, happiness, health and even a long life. Exercise and diet are necessary to determining a person’s overall health, and making them both part of your lifestyle can make a dramatic difference in how you look and feel – especially after a few long months of hibernation!
  2. Get the Right Amount of ZZZ’s
    Where it seems that most people are struggling to get enough sleep, the problem of sleeping too much may not seem like much of a problem at all. Yet prolonged sleep is associated with many of the same health problems as insufficient sleep. Depression can be a factor of not enough or too much sleep. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as “winter depression,” is one type of depression. SAD is believed to be influenced by the changing patterns of light and darkness that occur with the approach of winter. Circadian rhythms are regulated by the body’s internal clock and by exposure to sunshine. When the days get shorter in autumn, circadian rhythms may become de-synchronized and trigger depression. 
  3. Be Social, and ENJOY IT
    It’s tempting to stay home and continue to hibernate, but you’re missing out on a key component of cheer. Social interaction (the face-to-face kind – Not Facebook!) is one of the best ways to fight depression. Put a couple of social activities on your calendar each week and make sure to stick to your plans. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel when you interact and enjoy life – friendship and laughter can be some of the best medicines!
  4. Get a Hobby
    There’s no time like Spring to start a new hobby or a project. Start with decluttering the house or having a yard sale. My husband recently got into off-roading and purchased an old Jeep to work on. Not only did it help distract him from his problems and was an outlet for stress, but it’s provided him with a sense of accomplishment that he’s desperately needed. Projects like organizing bookshelves, starting a garden, and cleaning out the garage are perfect activities to help you get a spring in your step.

#NaturalProbiotic #CollectiveBias

5.Take Probiotics for Health & Wellness
Probiotics are good bacteria that may help promote digestive system balance, even gastroenterologists recommend probiotics to their patients.Lifestyle factors such as diet and stress may affect the composition of the microbiota. To make matters worse, as you get older, the number of good bacteria, especially bifidobacteria may decrease. Probiotics, such as the ones in insync, may help support gastrointestinal health.

#NaturalProbiotic #CollectiveBias

One of the best things about  Insync Probiotics it is that it has B. infantis, which is doctor recommended. It even has GI Guard® Technology so the good bacteria can make it in to your stomach alive. With having digestive problems myself I know that probiotics are necessary to maintain balance and avoid any GI issues. I take mine with a multi-vitamin daily to keep me as healthy as possible.

Do you currently take a #NaturalProbiotic? Why or why not?

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Posted in Fitness/Health, Motivational Monday | 27 Comments